A recent conversation with a friend reminded me that not everyone sees much difference between religion and spirituality. And though I feel passionate about the difference, it's not that easy to explain.

The current issue of Spirituality and Health  [july/august 2017] has some quotes which show the complexity:

     Author Dan Millman (Way of the Peaceful Warrior) is quoted as saying: "The word spiritual refers to the transcendent--that which inspires, uplifts, even liberates us: in the simplest terms, life's Big Picture. In my view, we're all on a spiritual quest, seeking to understand our larger purpose here, even as we address the duties of daily life.

     Rabbi Rani Shapiro, in his regular Q&A column (Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler)
responded to the question, What's so healthy about spirituality?

     Spirituality is about opening yourself up to love, compassion, hope, justice, and possibility.
It's about daring to see what is without the distortion of belief and creed. Spirituality is living without a net, and being surrendered to the awesome and the awful with tranquility. Living spiritually is living a life beneficial to the thriving of self and other, and that is the healthiest thing any of us can do.